The 2025 UBA National Essay Competition is now open to Nigerian senior secondary school students who are ready to showcase their ideas on national unity through the lens of Nigeria’s rich diversity.
This competition is a prestigious opportunity for young Nigerians to submit insightful, handwritten essays and stand a chance to win educational grants of up to ₦10 million to support their higher education. Let’s walk you through all the details.
2025 UBA National Essay Competition Summary
- Host Country: Nigeria
- Study Abroad: Study in Africa
- Host Institution: UBA Foundation
- Category: Competitions
- Eligible Countries: Nigeria
- Rewards: ₦10 million educational grant | Awards
- Application Deadline: October 17, 2025
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2025 UBA National Essay Competition Details
The 2025 UBA National Essay Competition is an annual initiative organized by the UBA Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of United Bank for Africa Plc, as part of its education program. The competition aims to promote a reading culture and encourage healthy, intellectual competition among senior secondary school students in Nigeria.
This year’s theme, “Nigeria is characterised by diverse cultures, ethnicities, and religions. How can young Nigerians deploy diversity to build a united nation?”, challenges students to explore how the country’s rich diversity can foster national unity.
Eligible participants must be Nigerian senior secondary school students and submit handwritten essays of no more than 750 words. Winners of the competition will receive educational grants ranging from ₦5 million to ₦10 million to support their higher education pursuits. Applications are open online through the official UBA portal and must be submitted on or before October 17, 2025. After this deadline, shortlisted essays will be evaluated, and winners will be announced.
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Eligibility Requirements for the 2025 UBA National Essay Competition
To qualify for the 2025 UBA National Essay Competition, applicants:
- Must be a Nigerian senior secondary school student.
- Must submit a handwritten essay; typed submissions are not accepted.
- The essay must be no longer than 750 words.
- Must provide a recent passport photograph.
- Must submit a scanned copy of a Birth Certificate, National ID, or International Passport.
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2025 UBA National Essay Competition Benefits
The winners of the 2025 UBA National Essay Competition will receive the following benefits:
- Winner: ₦10 million educational grant to any African university of choice.
- 1st Runner-Up: ₦7.5 million educational grant.
- 2nd Runner-Up: ₦5 million educational grant.
- Educational Support: Grants can be used to cover tuition fees and other academic-related expenses.
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2025 UBA National Essay Competition Required Documents
- Handwritten Essay – scanned copy, within 750 words.
- Recent Passport Photograph – clear and recent photo of the participant.
- Proof of Identity – scanned copy of Birth Certificate, National ID, or International Passport.
- School Details – name of school, class, and contact information (if required in the application form).
- Any additional documents requested on the official application portal.
How to Apply for the 2025 UBA National Essay Competition
To apply for the 2025 UBA National Essay Competition, follow these simple steps:
- Click the official UBA Foundation website below
- Access the application form
- Fill in your details
- Upload your handwritten essay. This MUST be a scanned copy of your handwritten essay.
- Upload the required documents.
- Double-check that all information is accurate and all files are correctly uploaded before submitting.
- After submission, monitor your email or the form confirmation message to ensure your application has been successfully received.
Kindly note that illegible essays will be automatically disqualified.
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Deadline
October 17, 2025.
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